The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-30
OMAR JAMEs'S LETTER.
THE wORKINGMEN. HARMONIOUS
In THEIR PURPOSE
To Attain to Political IsiiueBce and
Power, Subdue All Contentious
and Personal Grievances.

ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS or SHE APPEAL.
New York, January 2S.-rhe;e are
few occupations more interesting and
instructive than mingling with and
observing the workingmeh who ere
making mighty effort to accomplish
something in politics. Perhaps the
leaders Of the established parties might
tucceed better in gaining the ale
glance OF the workingmen would they
adopt such couue Of action As II
lie, those who and outside and acof,
from any reason whatsoever, fat gen.
orally to estimate with any approach
OF correctness the intelligence OF the
men in the movement and their devo-
ton to it. They are noisy and dis
putatious In their protracted conven.
tons; they are suspicious TO excess o.
all men not known to be partisans Of
their cause; they are now and then
iutsmperaie in their denunciations OF
laws and persons; 1t may be admitted
for the rake OF argument they are
given to absurd, preposterous theories.
But through 1t all the candid observer
will see q stesdfast determination to
arrive at desired end, will see that
there is a strong undeIcunent Of har-
mony that no clamor and incidental
pickering can turn back. Clamor and
confusion frequently obscure the hsr-
mony for hours, and then II will sud
denly appear with astonishing force,
quelling tempest and babel and carry
ing of all jealousies and contentious
with aTush. Let me try to sketch a
scene or two In typical labor oonven.
ton, such as sits here in this city once
every week. 1t is about $3.50 O'Clock
and the delegates have been as.
sembled upwards Of an hour. A ser.
geant-st.arms guards the door and ad-
mits no one who cannot pres ent card
OF admission issued by the Executive
Committee, In exchange for
THE DELEaArK CREDENTIALS.
The only exceptions are dozen or
30 reporters, whose faces are as we'll
known 10 the official as bona fide
newspaper men. The reporters only
calmly take possession OF the small
platform, leaving the chairman and
secretary Just room enough to per-
fern their respective duties. II is not
every time that the reporters get the
privilege OF admission to the meetings
OF the working men, and they are in.
clined to make the most of 1t when
they do. John MacMackin is the
chairman OF the convention, but he Is
usually seen on the tloor OF the house,
delegatinG the gavel to the frat vice
chairman, Flank Ferrol, the popular
colored man. Ferrol makes pictur.
esque presiding officer, and OIL the
whole satisfactory one, as no ono
questions his intention TO be fair. II
IL said that the people in Harlem
know when he has the cSair by the
incessant rumbling that results from
his pounding the convention to order
He is an engineer, but he has the
form and muscle OF blacksmith. His
gavel is made OF particularly heavy
and tough wood, but he broke 1t in
two at the last session OF the conven-
ton. At the first session he and the
secretary, James p. Archibald, occu-
pied the same table, aud Farrol
pounded 60 much and 40 violently
that Archibald could not take notes.
At the next meeting Ferrol was pro.
vlded with a small stand especially to
pound on. He is punctilious about
maintaining order, and he manages to
secure it by making about twice as
much noise as the delegates them.
selves. He is not always as